The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to be held in Pakistan is going to start from February 19, where the Indian team will play all its matches in Dubai under the hybrid model. India had refused to go to Pakistan due to security reasons. However, Indian captain Rohit Sharma may have to go to Pakistan, because on the Captain’s Day of the Champions Trophy, the captains of all the teams gather at one place and do a group photo session.
There is no official information yet about the location of the photoshoot. If the photoshoot takes place in Pakistan, then the question of whether the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) will be ready to send Rohit Sharma there or not has become a topic of discussion these days. According to ANI, a BCCI source said, “No decision has been taken yet on Rohit Sharma going to Pakistan for Captain Day. First the Indian team will be announced, then we will take a decision.”
A total of eight teams will participate in this tournament. Apart from India and Pakistan, other countries have announced their squads. India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket series for a long time due to political tensions. India has not toured Pakistan since 2008, while Pakistan has not played a bilateral series in India since 2012–13. The two teams now face each other only in ICC and ACC events.
India will begin its Champions Trophy journey against Bangladesh on February 20, while on February 23, it will take on arch-rivals Pakistan. India’s third league match is against New Zealand on March 2. If India reaches the semi-finals and finals, its matches will be held in Dubai only. If India fails to qualify, the final will be held on March 9 in Lahore. This tournament will be played in 50 over format. Apart from India-Pakistan, Group A includes New Zealand and Bangladesh and Group B includes Australia, South Africa, Afghanistan and England.
